yr wrote:
Another question, is it any better to adjust the in rather than the out to get the Nebula instance to read -18db?

Hi ce,

You didn't mention at what stage of your chain ...

But ... if your 1st stage is seeing -18dB [RMS] ...

I'd look at each plugin as a 'unity in/ unity out' device.

You output level should reference to the input. Not ONLY
based on the dedicated INPUT, OUTPUT controls, but
should also adapt to what the level 'inside'.

For example, if using a compressor set for 2dB of gain reduction,
then the MAKEUP gain is to add 2dB back.

Same concept with EQ's ... if you add or cut, you are
affecting the output of the plug. EQ's don't [usually]
come with makeup gain, but you have OUTPUT to bring
the unit back to UNITY GAIN. What goes IN = what goes OUT.

ce1909 wrote:Yes, that's how I basically treat my gaining but I don't always adjust the out of every instance, like eq's..
I will make it up at some point though.

I mix around -20db so is I'm wondering if it's fine to keep individual instance levels a bit below -18db or do they need to be at a least -18db to function properly?

thanks

With hardware, we did, generally, replace output for
the makeup gain, on a per unit basis in the chain. The
reason being ... minimizing noise floor. Whether that
is of concern with NEBULA ?!? Old habits that I still
follow.

The other issue is, by balancing per plug, it is unity
gain in and of itself ... so if you copy it over to another
track, the 'balance' is already in place, with minimal
surprises.

As for operating level. I assume we are working, at
minimum, 24 bit depth. With that, a -20dB [RMS] would
still be fine. The bigger issue would be mindful of
PEAK levels [fs]. THIS is headroom critical ! You would
like to have at least 6dB of open headroom for each
work track. Same for final mix. Mastering will max
out the final peak level.